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We use willpower to try to stop the habits we previously trained our brain to carry out. I hope this article has given you a better understanding of why this is true. Insights into how the brain behaves make this point clear: The adoption of a new set of behaviors requiring the suppression of current habits is bound to end badly. Real behavioral change requires the reorienting of goals in such a way that they will continually motivate the pursuit of a new reward. This will engage the basal ganglia, which will foster the birth of new habits. Then, all willpower has to worry about is steering.

On its own, willpower is bound to fail, but now you know why. Therefore, when it does, rest and start again.